Health Canada publishes Tent Regulations SOR/2024-217

Vol. 1438 | 02 Dec 2024

Health Canada published the new Tents Regulations (SOR/2024-217) on November 20, 2024, which repeals the previous Tents Regulations (SOR/2016-185). These new regulations incorporate safety requirements from the Canada General Standards Board's (CGSB) standard CAN/CGSB-182.1-2020, which focuses on flammability and labeling requirements for tents.

Context:

Canada's previous Tents Regulations, introduced in 1988, were based on an outdated standard that focused on paraffin-coated cotton canvas, which was the dominant tent material at the time. However, with the shift to synthetic materials like polyester and nylon, the old regulations failed to address the unique flammability hazards associated with these new materials. As a result, tent manufacturers resorted to using flame retardant chemicals to meet the regulatory requirements, which is not a desirable solution, due to the negative environmental and health impacts.

Benefits:

The introduction of new Health Canada regulations is expected to bring several benefits. Tent manufacturers will no longer need to rely heavily on flame retardant chemicals to meet regulatory requirements, thereby reducing the use of these chemicals. Manufacturers can continue to use existing testing equipment, reducing the financial burden of compliance. The regulations allow for a gradual transition, minimizing disruptions to businesses while ensuring consumer safety.

Key Changes:

• Scope: The new regulations continue to cover children's tents designed for outdoor shelters, but children's play tents not intended for outdoor shelter are now subject to the amended Toys Regulations. The amended Toys Regulations introduce new fire-safety labeling and flammability performance requirements for play tents. These regulations define play tents as "toys intended to be entered by a child," aligning with the international standard ISO 8124-2.
  
  The definition encompasses several types of play tents, including:

• • Play tunnels
  • Teepees
  • Bed tents

However, the definition excludes toys worn on the body, such as children's costumes. As part of the regulatory updates, the Textile Flammability Regulations have been revised to remove products that are now covered under the revised Toys Regulations

• Compliance Periods:
  • CGSB Standard Compliance Period
    • Manufacturers and Importers: 1 year to meet either the final amended standard or the previous standard
    • Advertisers and Sellers: 2 years to meet either the final amended standard or the previous standard
  • ISO Toy Standard Compliance Period
    • Manufacturers and Importers: 180 days to meet either the final amended standard or the previous standard
    • Advertisers and Sellers: 1 year to meet either the final amended standard or the previous standard

• Transitional Period: A two-year transitional period allows the industry to deplete existing stock that complied with the previous regulations.

These changes took effect on November 20, 2024, with the goal of improving safety and reducing the risk of tent fires.

For questions, please contact Andrew Loveland (andrew.loveland@intertek.com) and Harini Ramaswamy (harini.ramaswamy@intertek.com).